In a significant move, US President Donald Trump has removed General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was the highest-ranking officer in the country. Trump took to social media to express gratitude for General Brown’s more than 40 years of service to the nation. Along with General Brown, five other top military officers are also being replaced as part of this restructuring of top military leadership.
General Brown, who was the second black officer to hold the prestigious position, played a crucial role in advising both the president and the secretary of defense on national security matters. The decision to dismiss him came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized General Brown’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military as being too “woke”.
Joining General Brown in being relieved of their duties were Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the US Navy, and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife. It’s worth noting that all three officers who were removed from their positions on Friday were appointed by Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden.
In a statement, Hegseth emphasized the need for new leadership under President Trump that would shift the military’s focus back to its core mission of deterring and winning wars. Trump has put forth Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine, a seasoned F-16 pilot and former CIA associate director for military affairs, as his nominee for the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The decision to remove these top officers comes amid ongoing discussions about the military’s direction and priorities. The Pentagon also announced plans to reduce its budget and lay off 5,400 probationary employees in the upcoming week. Additionally, a federal court ruling in Maryland temporarily halted Trump’s efforts to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, citing potential violations of free speech rights under the US Constitution.
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